Springtime Paper Daffodil Bouquet

Since daffodils are always one of the first flowers to bloom each year, they are often considered to be a symbol of spring. These beautiful flowers are easy to grow, making them a popular garden favorite. But, what can you do if you don't have any daffodils planted in your garden, or you want to continue enjoying them after the real blooms fade? Making one or more bouquets of paper daffodils could be the perfect answer.

What you need

1 sheet of white construction, printer or scrapbook paper
1 sheet of yellow construction, printer or scrapbook paper
1 roll of yellow crepe paper (commonly used as decorating streamers)
1 roll of orange crepe paper
1 sheet of green construction paper
1 green pipe cleaner (for every flower made)
Tacky craft glue
Scissors
Pinking shears (optional)

Instructions

This easy craft uses inexpensive and readily available materials. These flowers are also easy to make, so even younger children can help make them. In fact, this is the perfect children’s craft activity for Easter, Mother’s Day, or any springtime event.

Make the Flower Petals

Use white or yellow construction, printer or scrapbook paper to make the outside petals for your paper daffodil. For each flower you make, cut 6 oval petals, each approximately 1/2 inch wide and 2 inches long. Real daffodils vary in color, some having white petals and others having yellow petals. If you plan to make a paper daffodil bouquet, it can be fun to make some of each color.

Make the Stem and Flower Base

Cut a 1 inch diameter circle from your sheet of green construction paper, which will be used to make the flower base. Using your scissors, poke a small hole through the paper circle’s center. Wrap one end of the pipe cleaner around your pinky finger a couple of times. Then, thread the straight end of the pipe cleaner through the hole you made in the construction paper flower base. Flatten the coil against the top surface of the flower base to secure, using a small amount of glue if necessary.

Make the Daffodil Center

Measure and cut a 3 inch long piece of crepe paper. Some real daffodils have yellow centers while others have orange centers. Again, if you are making a daffodil bouquet, you can choose to make some of each color for variety. Cut one edge of the crepe paper so that it is jagged, using pinking shears or regular scissors. This jagged edge will form the top edge of your daffodil center, adding realism. Form a ring from the crepe paper strip, overlapping the ends so that finished diameter is approximately a half inch. Glue the overlapped area to hold, let dry. Bend the bottom 1/4 inch of the crepe paper tube outwards. Apply glue to this 1/4 inch area then attach to the center of the paper circle. Let dry.

Attaching the Petals

Glue each of the six tissue paper flower petals to the top of the paper flower base, spacing them out evenly. This will hide the area where you attached the daffodil center. After they are dry, arrange several in a vase to add a touch of springtime to your home. If desired, you can also cut some leaves out of green paper to add to your arrangement.

Alyssa Davis is a home style expert who writes regularly for Metal-Wall-Art.com. She is especially knowledgeable on decorating with birds metal wall art. Photo By Paper Source